Thursday, December 8, 2011
Two out of three ain't bad: Ebrard's approval rating
The approval rating of Mexico City mayor is, according to an El Universal poll, 66 percent. In fact, the mayor has never been more popular. What a pity AMLO bested him for the 2012 candidacy - this is truly a politician with broad appeal.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Peña Nieto and the bible
Enrique Peña Nieto's failure to even name three books that have "shaped him" has gotten a lot of attention, and rightly so. Jesús Ortega, leader of the social democratic faction Nueva Izquierda within the PRD, has a notable take on the book Peña Nieto did mention as having inspired him, the christian bible:
Is it of any significance for the country that the bible is the primary book for Peña Nieto and the other candidates for President of the Republic? Of course it is, and in my opinion in a negative sense.
I understand that for someone who aspires to be a minister, any theological text is certainly indispensable for their vocational education and training and morale. or any rabbi, deep knowledge of the Torah is essential, for the ayatollahs the full knowledge and even memorization of the Qur'an is essential and, in the same way, to Catholic bishops or ministers Christians, the bible must be the essential text for preaching.
Yet for the head of state of a secular, democratic republic of law, while the study of the Bible (or other dogmatic books) may be useful and even necessary, but not the primary and basic sustenance of one's knowledge and learning in order exercise one's political responsibilities.
For Peña Nieto, for López Obrador or whoever is the PAN candidate, it is more recommended and required to know Rousseau's Social Contract, Machiavelli's The Prince, and The Declaration of the Rights of Man, and if they want to know something of caciques and and caudillos, it is pertinent to read Pedro Páramo, The Tyrant Banderas, or the Shadow of the Tyrant.
PRI sector seek to give Moreira immunity - a telling sign
The PRI's Confederación Nacional de Organizaciones Populares (CNOP), a corporatist leftover from its golden days and headed by party hack Emilio Gamboa Patrón, expressed support for an elected office for disgraced ex party leader Humberto Moreira, who may well be facing legal prosecution soon.
So to reiterate: Rather than letting Moreira face the accusations and prove himself innocent and clear his name, PRI wants to have Moreira elected federal deputy or senator, which offers legal immunity for persecution - admitting, ipso facto, that there is hardly no smoke without fire, and that Moreira truly has much to hide.
So to reiterate: Rather than letting Moreira face the accusations and prove himself innocent and clear his name, PRI wants to have Moreira elected federal deputy or senator, which offers legal immunity for persecution - admitting, ipso facto, that there is hardly no smoke without fire, and that Moreira truly has much to hide.
New Cardinal of Guadalajara, Francisco Robles Ortega
Francisco Robles Ortega was appointed new cardinal of Guadalajara, following the retirement of Juan Sandoval Iñiguez, who has held the position since Juan Jesús Posadas Ocampo was infamously murdered at the Guadalajara airport in 1994, under still murky circumstances.
Robles has been archbishop of Monterrey for the past 12 years. I might have to eat my own words, but he cannot possibly be a worse appointment than Sandoval - one of the meanest, darkest, most extreme fanatics the church has seen in recent times, who held the position since
Robles has been archbishop of Monterrey for the past 12 years. I might have to eat my own words, but he cannot possibly be a worse appointment than Sandoval - one of the meanest, darkest, most extreme fanatics the church has seen in recent times, who held the position since
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Beatriz Paredes, PRI's candidate for Mexico City mayor in 2012
It's been long known that former PRI president Beatriz Paredes Rangel has had her eyes on her party's nomination to be the mayor of Mexico City, and yesterday she came out and officially declared her intentions.
Note that she ran as well in 2006 against Ebrard, when she came in third.
Ironically, given PAN's difficulties in finding a decent candidate, it seems that its 2012 candidate will be Demetrio Sodi, who also ran in 2006 and then came in second.
Ebrard, as the rumor mill has it, is going back and forth between Mario Delgado and Miguel Mancera - secretary of education and attorney general of Mexico City, respectively.
Note that she ran as well in 2006 against Ebrard, when she came in third.
Ironically, given PAN's difficulties in finding a decent candidate, it seems that its 2012 candidate will be Demetrio Sodi, who also ran in 2006 and then came in second.
Ebrard, as the rumor mill has it, is going back and forth between Mario Delgado and Miguel Mancera - secretary of education and attorney general of Mexico City, respectively.
The priceless tweet
From the twittering classes: Pure genius.
"Carlos Fuentes' book The Eagle's Throne 235 pesos. A bottle of gel, 45 pesos. Your daughter ruining your campaign in 140 characters.... PRICELESS."
("Libro de Carlos Fuentes “La Silla del Águila” $235, bote de gel $45, que tu hija arruine tu campaña en 140 caracteres… NO TIENE PRECIO.")
"Carlos Fuentes' book The Eagle's Throne 235 pesos. A bottle of gel, 45 pesos. Your daughter ruining your campaign in 140 characters.... PRICELESS."
("Libro de Carlos Fuentes “La Silla del Águila” $235, bote de gel $45, que tu hija arruine tu campaña en 140 caracteres… NO TIENE PRECIO.")
Monday, December 5, 2011
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